Defensive end Victor Abiamiri had microfracture knee surgery and isn't expected to return to running until six months after surgery. The oft-injured Eagle underwent the operation on Feb. 9, according to Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder.

That means, best case scenario, Abiamiri, 24, would resume running just after training camp in August. This latest setback makes it unlikely that Abiamiri will be back in time for the season opener. His season, and possibly his career, could be in jeopardy.

"It's a big injury," Burkholder said. "It's knocked some guys out of playing, but plenty of people have come back and played, too. He's got youth on his side."

Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery. Originially, Abiamiri was to have his knee scoped, but Andrews saw that the injury was worse than thought.

"I've been doing what they've been telling me to do," Abiamiri said. "It's a tough process to go through, but all you can do is take it day to day."

The injury stems from a shot to the knee that he took in the Oakland game last season. He missed the next three games, but did return for the rest of the season.

Abiamiri has yet to play a full season since the Eagles selected him in the second round of the 2007 draft. In 2008, he missed the first five games of the season due to a dislocated wrist. He then sat out the final game of the season with a Lisfrance foot sprain. He also missed most of last year's training camp with a back injury.

"I know that I've been hurt a lot since I've been here," Abiamiri said. "When I got hurt during the season, I was like, 'I'm just going to play through it.' It was bothering me through the season, but I figured I'd get it fixed at the end of the season. And I did. It's just that the amount of the time it takes for it to heal up is pretty extensive."